Lord,

I’ve had to deal with anger a lot over
    the years.  
And I’ve used a variety of
    strategies—
I’ve suffered in silence and  
    grown bitter.
I’ve lashed out in retaliation
    and lived to regret it.
I’ve tried to give in and
    ended up feeling used and
         trapped.
I’ve confronted in love, tough love, and grieved as I was                 
    misunderstood and feared.

Is there any good way of dealing with anger?
   Quickly, before it gets dug in,
    before it becomes a part of one’s psyche?
   Confession to God…forgiveness of the perpetrator?

Still, Lord, there must be a better way.
An attitude, a way of looking at things, which nips it in the bud.
For me, it means knowing when to give in…graciously…and
   knowing what things are mine to give.
For me, it means standing firm…up front…when the issue is
   non-negotiable.
I cannot hope it will “work itself out.”
I cannot need the approval of my colleagues so much that I am
   unable to take a stand.
When I postpone dealing with an issue I hurt everyone involved.
Anger hangs thick and heavy between us and by the time we deal
   with it, it has become a monster raging out of control.
Sanctify me, Lord.
Let me freely yield that which is mine to yield.
Show me,
   help me to know, what is Yours to guard
   and what is mine to give.

In Christ’s name, I pray.

“Amen”